My parents have had some health issues in the last 10 years and their riding time has been steadily declining, haven't even rode in the last 2 years at all. Dad also was dumped about 4 years ago and lost some confidence in himself and his horse. Add to that mom is pretty much done riding herself and so everytime I called to invite them out there was an excuse not to go. Started to become evident to me that dad still wanted to ride but mom was done (both retired now).
Well, mom took off for a week to attend a family reunion back east. I sprang into action and invited dad out for a ride behind moms back (she was inside the house packing) and he was all for it. Swung by yesterday to pick him up. Soon as he climbed on his horse he put on a huge smile. 3 hours riding later and that smile was still on his face. Matter of fact, another 3 hours later when we left his house that smile still hadn't been wiped off his face. He's regained confidence in himself and his horse that they can still be a team together. Now I'm hoping he wont keep letting mom run interference to his riding!
Have to say that was actually one of my best riding days of my life.
YAY! glad you got to spend some go quality time with your dad and that he got some time with his horse! hopefully you can sneak in some more rides for him!
Maybe with your Dad feeling more confident again, he will want to keep riding even if your Mom doesn't and will tell her so, eliminating the need to sneak!
Excellento! Hope your dad keeps riding, proven medical fact (heard it on the tv "The Doctors), horseback riding staves off oestoporosis, arthritis and some other aging disease (can't remember, getting old, bad memory, lol).
I can pretty much gaurantee with his confidence back there will be no stopping him riding now.
Update: he and mom talked and it seems, according to mom, he's the one that's been stopping them from going and she has still wanted to ride. I know how I feel about that one but if she starts riding again I'll be happy about that too. Doubt we'll be able to talk her into more than a one or two hour ride at a time.
Short rides are okay. I lost my mom in 83, dad in 93. All of us only have so much time to spend here. It sounds like you've found a great way to make the most of it.
I guess I kind of Envy you in a large way, but it's a good envy.
My dad begs me to put him on a horse. Says "I can handle it"
But it just scares me to death. He's on Oxygen and unsteady in walking. Knees and legs have lost their strength long ago. It would be just my luck that the day I put him back in the saddle, He'd tumble off and seriously break something.
I might be able to get him in the saddle at home with a short ladder, But if he came off while trail ridding, I'd never get him back in the saddle. And there is no way he could walk out.
I feel bad refusing him, But he is just beyond the point where I dare take the risk. If your dad can ride, Enjoy the time with him.
Please keep helping him get to ride! It sounds like it's really a priceless thing for him and it would be terrible for him to miss out. Hope your Mom will continue too! Posted via Mobile Device
When my husband's uncle was 87 years old, he dropped by to see us while I was riding the TWH that I had back then. He said that he loved gaited horses and wanted to ride. We pushed, pulled, and got him up on the horse. He didn't just walk around. He put her into a nice quick rack and then he cantered around the yard a little bit. After about 15 minutes of what was obviously a great time, he came over and asked me to help him get down. He said, "If I fall off and break something, everybody is going to say, 'That old fool should have known better.'" He lived to be 100.
I think that being willing to do fun stuff kept him going. I am glad you got your dad to ride.
Painted Horse - check into a therapeutic equestrian association in your area, they are n't just for kids. They provide side walkers and there are portable oxygen tanks he can carry over his shoulder like a purse. Might do him some good!
Darrin I am so glad you got to take a ride with your dad!!!! That is wonderful. Riding puts a smile on my face so I know how your dad feels. Kudo's for having such a great time!
Good for you and your dad! Riding is like breathing in oxygen. Can't get enough of it! And the joy and closeness it brings for the two of you is unmatched.
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